Systems and methods for disposable sanitary covers for shopping cart handles

ABSTRACT

A sanitary cover arrangement for a shopping cart handle includes a tubular base mount configured to be coupled around the shopping cart handle, a tubular outer sleeve configured to be coupled around the tubular base mount, and a plurality of sanitary film layers coupled to the tubular outer sleeve. Each of the sanitary film layers are dispensable from the tubular outer sleeve. A topmost layer of the plurality of sanitary film layers is removable for exposing another layer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface for gripping the shopping cart handle.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to sanitary coverings, and moreparticularly to shopping cart handle sanitary covers.

BACKGROUND

Shopping carts are commonly used at supermarkets, home improvementstores, general merchandise stores, megastores/supercenters, electronicsstores, and other retailers while buying various consumer items, fromhome furnishings to electronics to food and beyond. In a given day, manypeople grasp the handles or grips of the shopping carts during theirshopping experience and then return the shopping cart for anothercustomer to use. The frequency and adequacy of the cleaning of theshopping cart handles or grips varies from store to store and day today, among other factors. Even when shopping cart handles are cleanedregularly, there remains a risk of pathogen transmission even from thetransfer of a shopping cart from one customer to another without propercleaning.

SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, has recently spreadglobally, infecting tens of millions of people and killing over amillion people worldwide. In response, government leaders haveimplemented various public health measures to slow virus proliferation.As recently as Oct. 3, 2020, Japanese researchers published a study ofthe survival of SARS-CoV-2 on various surfaces. (Ryohei Hirose, et al.,Survival of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus on the human skin: Importanceof hand hygiene in COVID-19, Clinical Infectious Diseases, ciaa1517,https:// doi.org/10.1093/cid/ciaa1517, https://academic.oup.com/cid/advance-article/doi/10.1093/cid/ciaa1517/5917611).The study found that SARS-CoV-2 has a survival time of approximately 9hours on human skin and 84 hours on stainless steel. There remains arisk of surface transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the survival period ofthe virus. Due to the risk of virus transmission, especially athigh-traffic areas, supermarkets and grocery stores have experienced adecline in the number of in-person shoppers visiting their stores.

SUMMARY

A sanitary cover arrangement for a shopping cart handle is disclosed,comprising a tubular base mount configured to be coupled around theshopping cart handle, a tubular outer sleeve configured to be coupledaround the tubular base mount, and a plurality of sanitary film layerscoupled to the tubular outer sleeve. Each of the sanitary film layersare dispensable from the tubular outer sleeve. A topmost layer of theplurality of sanitary film layers is removable for exposing anotherlayer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface for gripping theshopping cart handle.

In various embodiments, the topmost layer of the plurality of sanitaryfilm layers is removable for exposing another layer therebeneath forproviding a sterile surface for gripping the shopping cart handle.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a first halfand a second half, wherein the first half couples to the second half tosecure the tubular base mount to the shopping cart handle.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a ratchetinglocking mechanism for coupling the first half to the second half.

In various embodiments, the ratcheting locking mechanism comprises afirst tab extending from the first half, the first tab comprising aplurality of teeth, and a second tab extending from the second half, thesecond tab comprising a pawl configured to mechanically engage theplurality of teeth to lock the first half from pulling apart from thesecond half.

In various embodiments, the first half is configured to be coupled tothe second half via a magnetic connection.

In various embodiments, the tubular outer sleeve comprises a first sideand a second side, wherein the first side faces the second side todefine a longitudinally extending slit therebetween, wherein the firstside is configured to be pried apart from the second side to fit thetubular outer sleeve over the tubular base mount.

In various embodiments, the first side comprises a protruding memberextending towards the second side, and the second side comprises arecess, wherein the protruding member extends into the recess.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a living hingewhereby the first half is coupled to the second half.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a compliantinner layer configured to contact the shopping cart handle, wherein thecompliant inner layer is configured to conform to a geometry of theshopping cart handle.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a tubularportion, a first flared tab extending from the tubular portion, and asecond flared tab extending from the tubular portion, wherein the firstflared tab and the second flared tab at least partially define alongitudinally extending slit disposed in the tubular base mount.

In various embodiments, the sanitary cover arrangement further comprisesa liquid container coupled to the tubular base mount. The base mount isdisposed in a cutout of the liquid container.

A tubular base mount for a shopping cart handle is disclosed, comprisinga first half, a second half, and a living hinge extending between thefirst half and the second half whereby the first half is moveable withrespect to the second half.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a ratchetinglocking mechanism for coupling the first half to the second half.

In various embodiments, the ratcheting locking mechanism comprises afirst tab extending from the first half, the first tab comprising aplurality of teeth, and a second tab extending from the second half, thesecond tab comprising a pawl configured to mechanically engage theplurality of teeth to lock the first half from pulling apart from thesecond half.

In various embodiments, the first half is configured to be coupled tothe second half via a magnet.

In various embodiments, the first half comprises an outer skin, a firstend rib disposed at a first end of the outer skin, a second end ribdisposed at a second end of the outer skin, and a middle rib disposedbetween the first end rib and the second end rib.

In various embodiments, the first end rib extends from an interiorsurface of the outer skin, the second end rib extends from the interiorsurface of the outer skin, and the middle rib extends from the interiorsurface of the outer skin, and a height of the middle rib is less than aheight of the first end rib.

In various embodiments, the tubular base mount comprises a compliantinner layer configured to contact the shopping cart handle, wherein thecompliant inner layer is configured to conform to a geometry of theshopping cart handle.

A method of providing a sanitary surface over a grip of a shopping cartis disclosed, comprising attaching a base mount to the grip of the cart,attaching an outer sleeve to the base mount, wherein the outer sleevecomprises a sanitary cover comprising a plurality of film layers, andremoving a topmost layer of the sanitary cover for exposing anotherlayer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface.

In various embodiments, the outer sleeve comprises a longitudinallyextending slit whereby the base mount is received by the outer sleeve.

In various embodiments, the base mount comprises a first half, a secondhalf, and a living hinge extending between the first half and the secondhalf whereby the first half is moveable with respect to the second half.

The foregoing features and elements may be combined in variouscombinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise.These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will becomemore apparent in light of the following description and the accompanyingdrawings. It should be understood, however, the following descriptionand drawings are intended to be exemplary in nature and non-limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the present disclosure is particularly pointed outand distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. Amore complete understanding of the present disclosure, however, may bestbe obtained by referring to the detailed description and claims whenconsidered in connection with the drawing figures, wherein like numeralsdenote like elements.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of a shopping cart according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 1B illustrates a rear view of the shopping cart of FIG. 1Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 1C illustrates a perspective view of a shopping cart grip accordingto various embodiments;

FIG. 1D illustrates a perspective view of a base mount installed overthe shopping cart grip of FIG. 1C according to various embodiments;

FIG. 1E illustrates a perspective view of an outer sleeve installed overthe base mount of FIG. 1D according to various embodiments;

FIG. 1F illustrates a section view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 1Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 1G illustrates a section view taken along line A-A of the handlearrangement of FIG. 1B according to various embodiments;

FIG. 1H illustrates a section view taken along line B-B of the handlearrangement of FIG. 1B according to various embodiments;

FIG. 1I illustrates a section view taken along line C-C of the handlearrangement of FIG. 1B according to various embodiments;

FIG. 1J illustrates a side view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 1Baccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the base mount of FIG. 1Daccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a locking mechanism of thebase mount of FIG. 2A according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the outer sleeve of FIG. 1Eaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 3B illustrates a bottom view of the outer sleeve of FIG. 3Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of a base mount installed overthe shopping cart grip of FIG. 1C according to various embodiments;

FIG. 4B illustrates a section view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 4Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 4C illustrates a section view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 4Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 4D illustrates a side view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 4Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 4E illustrates a perspective view of the base mount of FIG. 4Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 4F illustrates a perspective view of a second half of the basemount of FIG. 4E according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5A illustrates a perspective view of a base mount installed overthe shopping cart grip of FIG. 1C according to various embodiments;

FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the base mount of FIG. 5Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 5Aaccording to various embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed view of the sanitary film layers disposedon the outer sleeve of FIG. 1I according to various embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates an isolated view of the outer sleeve and sanitaryfilm layers of FIG. 6, with an outermost film layer being removed forexposing another layer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface forbeing gripped by a user according to various embodiments;

FIG. 8 illustrates a method of providing a sanitary surface on a grip ofa shopping cart according to various embodiments;

FIG. 9 illustrates a section view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 4B,except with the living hinge replaced with opposing magnets according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 10 illustrates a section view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 4B,except with the first and second half of the base mount secured to theshopping cart handle via one or more fasteners according to variousembodiments;

FIG. 11A illustrates a side view of a handle arrangement with a liquidcontainer coupled to a base mount, according to various embodiments;

FIG. 11B illustrates a front view of the handle arrangement of FIG. 11A,according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 11C illustrates a section view of the handle arrangement of FIG.11A, according to various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments herein makes referenceto the accompanying drawings, which show exemplary embodiments by way ofillustration and their best mode. While these exemplary embodiments aredescribed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the inventions, it should be understood that other embodimentsmay be realized and that logical, chemical and mechanical changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes ofillustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recitedin any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in anyorder and are not necessarily limited to the order presented.

Furthermore, any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, andany reference to more than one component or step may include a singularembodiment or step. Also, any reference to attached, fixed, connected orthe like may include permanent, removable, temporary, partial, fulland/or any other possible attachment option. Additionally, any referenceto without contact (or similar phrases) may also include reduced contactor minimal contact.

As used herein, phrases such as “make contact with,” “coupled to,”“touch,” “interface with” and “engage” may be used interchangeably.Different cross-hatching is used throughout the figures to denotedifferent parts but not necessarily to denote the same or differentmaterials.

As used herein, “distal” refers to the direction radially outward, orgenerally, away from a centerline axis of a member. As used herein,“proximal” refers to a direction radially inward, or generally, towardsa centerline axis of a member. For example, with brief reference to FIG.4F, surface 458 may be described as a proximal surface because surface458 faces radially inward, or generally, towards a centerline axis ofbase mount 430.

As used herein, the term “tubular” refers both to having the form of ahollow cylindrical tube and to having the form of a solid surface atleast partially enclosing a hollow passageway. In this manner, the term“tubular” encompasses structures having any cross-sectional profilee.g., a circle, an oval, square, a rectangle, a triangle, a trapezoid, aparallelogram and the like. In this regard, “tubular” is not limited tosymmetrical geometries and is not limited to cylindrical structures.

Shopping cart grip sanitary cover arrangements of the present disclosureinclude, in various embodiments, multiple film layers stacked, forexample, one on top of another with a bottommost layer being attached toa carrier, as described herein in further detail. In use, a topmostlayer of the sanitary cover may be removable for exposing another layertherebeneath for providing a sanitary and/or sterile surface for beinggripped by a user. In this manner, the spread of pathogens between usersof highly engaged portions of a shopping cart is reduced. Furthermore,shopping cart grip sanitary cover arrangements of the present disclosuremay provide shoppers and government leaders with increased confidence toreengage with in-person shopping.

Shopping cart grip sanitary cover arrangements, in accordance withvarious embodiments, include a base mount for providing a standard sizedstructure whereon an outer sleeve carrier is installed. The outer sleevecarrier may be a disposable carrier including the multiple film layers.After the multiple film layers have been used, the outer sleeve carriermay be discarded and a new outer sleeve carrier with a stack of filmlayers may be installed over the standard sized base mount. In thismanner, shopping cart grip sanitary cover arrangements of the presentdisclosure are compatible with various cart handles of various shapesand sizes.

With reference to FIG. 1A, a shopping cart 100 is illustrated, inaccordance with various embodiments. Shopping cart 100 may include abasket portion 102 having a bottom 104 and a plurality of sides 106coupled thereto and extending upwardly therefrom. The basket portion 102thus defines an interior space 108 for storing articles therein. Alsoincluded is a plurality of wheels coupled to the bottom of the shoppingcart 100 for transporting purposes.

The shopping cart 100 further includes a handle arrangement 110 having apair of substantially vertical posts 112 with inboard ends coupled tothe sides 106 of the shopping cart 100 and extending upwardly andrearwardly therefrom. Associated therewith is a substantially horizontalhandle 114 coupled to outboard ends of the posts 112.

While a shopping cart 100 is specifically described, it should be notedthat the principles set forth herein may be applied in the context ofany cart-like device. For example, an airport luggage cart, flat bedstyle carts, any cart used by multiple users, or any other cart-likedevice may be considered within the scope of the present invention.

With additional references to FIG. 1B, a rear view of shopping cart 100is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In variousembodiments, handle 114 includes a substantially tubular configuration.Also included is a cart grip sanitary cover arrangement 118 havingmultiple film layers each with a top face, a bottom face, and aperiphery formed therebetween. The film layers are stacked one on top ofanother with a bottommost layer being attached to a carrier, asdescribed herein in further detail. In use, a topmost layer of thesanitary cover is removable for exposing another layer therebeneath forproviding a sanitary surface for being gripped by a user. Thus, eachuser of the cart 100 may be provided with a new sanitary surface to gripduring use. Various FIGs of the present disclosure illustratecross-section views (e.g., section A-A, section B-B, and section C-C) ofhandle arrangement 110 in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1C, shopping cart 100 is illustrated with a cartgrip sanitary cover omitted. Handle 114 may include a grip 116 for beinghandled by a user to maneuver the shopping cart 100. In variousembodiments, the grip 116 includes a substantially tubularconfiguration. In various embodiments, the grip 116 is constructed froma plastic material, such as a thermoplastic or thermoset. In variousembodiments, the grip 116 may be constructed from a separate or integralmetallic or elastomeric piece, or any other material with any desiredtype of configuration that is capable of being gripped by a user.Typical shopping cart grips are manufactured to various shapes andsizes. In this regard, the length and width of grip 116 may vary amongstdifferent shopping carts and shopping cart manufacturers.

With reference to FIG. 1D, shopping cart 100 is illustrated with a basemount 130 installed over grip 116 (see FIG. 1C). Base mount 130 may beinstalled over grip 116 to provide a surface for installing an outersleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E) to handle 114. As previously mentioned,shopping cart handles 114 and/or shopping cart grips 116 may bemanufactured to various shapes and sizes. Base mount 130 may beconfigured to be installed over these various shopping cart handles 114and/or shopping cart grips 116 to provide a standard (i.e., uniform)sized structure to which outer sleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E) is mounted. Inthis manner, outer sleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E) may be readily mounted tovirtually all shopping cart handles, regardless of the particular sizeand/or shape of the handle. Although described as a standard sizedstructure, it should be understood that the exact outer profile of basemount 130 may slightly vary, for example depending on how closely thebase mount is conformed onto a shopping cart handle, in accordance withvarious embodiments. However, the outer profile of base mount 130 allowsouter sleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E) to be disposed around base mount 130.Base mount 130 may be constructed from a plastic material, such as athermoplastic or thermoset. However, base mount 130 may be constructedfrom any suitable material or mixture of materials, including metal,silicone, rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), and/or acombinations thereof.

With reference to FIG. 1E, shopping cart 100 is illustrated with outersleeve 150 installed over base mount 130. Outer sleeve 150 may beconstructed from a plastic material, such as a thermoset orthermoplastic, in accordance with various embodiments. Outer sleeve 150may be constructed from a paper-based material (e.g., cardboard), inaccordance with various embodiments. Outer sleeve 150 may be a carrierfor a plurality of disposable film layers 160 for providing a sanitarysurface for gripping shopping cart handle 114, as described herein infurther detail.

In various embodiments, each of the disposable film layers 160 maycomprise one or more images 164 printed thereon. The term “image”includes, without limitation, any picture, graphic, text or otherindicia or combination thereof. In various embodiments, the plurality ofdisposable film layers 160 may provide a vehicle for advertisement(s) toa shopper, via image 164. Said advertisements may include promotion,coupon, sale, discount, or other business information. Furthermore, saidadvertisements may include bar code(s) and/or quick response (QR)code(s) which are readable by an electronic device such as a cell phone.In this manner, the QR code and/or barcode may direct an electronicdevice to access a coupon, an affinity or customer loyalty program, anapplication, a web site, or another resource that may offer informationabout a product, along with potential discounts and other incentives.

In various embodiments, image 164 may be printed using a time limitedink 165. In this manner, the ink may “disappear” or become invisible tothe naked eye after a period of time being exposed to ambient air. Inthis regard, the period of time may begin when the disposable film layer160 is exposed by removing a top layer. The period of time may be, forexample, 1 hour, 2 hours, 12 hours, or any suitable period of time. Theperiod of time that the ink is visible may be chosen based upon aduration for which the disposable film layer 160 is considered to besanitary. In this manner, a user may perceive that the topmostdisposable film layer 160 should be disposed of after the image 164 hasfaded or disappeared. The time limited ink 165 may comprise adisappearing ink, such as an ink that fades or disappears in response toexposure to air. In this manner, time limited ink 165 may comprisethymolphthalein and/or phenolphthalein, which may fade in response toexposure to air.

In various embodiments, time limited ink 165 may comprise a decoloringink or toner. In various embodiments, the decoloring ink can be made ofany existing decoloring ink which allows chemical interactions betweennormal ink and decoloring chemical substance so that the ink willdecolor or fade after some time in the air. It can be some type ofdissolvent that will erode the regular ink or toner during theinteractions. Some of the decoloring ink, or agent can be made of ableaching agent, oxidant, oxidizer or other decolourant. By mixing andadjusting the percentage and/or with the density of both inks, thefading speed that the ink vanishes and how long the ink will becomefully decolored can be controlled and determined. However, any suitabletime limited ink 165 which changes visually with age is contemplatedherein.

With reference to FIG. 1F, a section view of an end of handlearrangement 110 is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments.With combined reference to FIG. 1F and FIG. 1G, base mount 130 maycomprise a first half 131 and a second half 132. First half 131 andsecond half 132 may be moveable with respect to one another to open basemount 130 to install base mount 130 over shopping cart handle 114 andalso to close base mount 130 securely around the shopping cart handle114. In various embodiments, first half 131 is coupled to second half132 via a living hinge 133. First half 131, second half 132, and livinghinge 133 may be formed as a single, monolithic piece of material.Living hinge 133 may comprise a thin ribbon of material extendingbetween first half 131 and second half 132 for providing a hinge wherebyfirst half 131 may be rotated with respect to second half 132 foropening and closing base mount 130.

In various embodiments, base mount 130 comprises a locking mechanism 180for securing base mount 130 to shopping cart handle 114. In variousembodiments, the locking mechanism 180 comprises a first tab 134 and asecond tab 135. First tab 134 may comprise a series of ratchet teeth 136extending towards second tab 135. Second tab 135 may comprise a pawl 137extending towards first tab 134. Pawl 137 may be configured to securelyengage a portion of the series of ratchet teeth 136 in response to basemount 130 being clamped around a shopping cart handle 114 to secure basemount 130 to the shopping cart handle 114. In this regard, the lockingmechanism may comprise a catch or pawl 137 comprising a ridge configuredto engage ratchet teeth 136, allowing movement of first tab 134 in onlyone direction 191. In various embodiments, second tab 135 may be flexedoutward away from first tab 134 to disengage pawl 137 from ratchet teeth136 to remove base mount 130 from shopping cart handle 114. In variousembodiments, base mount 130 comprises said locking mechanism 180 ateither end of base mount 130. In various embodiments, the lockingmechanism 180 (i.e., first tab 134 and second tab 135) may be configuredto surround shopping cart handle 114. In various embodiments, grip 116may be disposed entirely between locking mechanisms 180 disposed ateither end of base mount 130 (see also FIG. 1F). In this regard, lockingmechanism 180 may be longitudinally adjacent grip 116.

With combined reference to FIG. 1G and FIG. 1H, first half 131 facessecond half 132 to define a longitudinally extending slit 138therebetween when the base mount 130 is in an installed position. Invarious embodiments, first tab 134 traverses said slit 138 in theinstalled position (see also FIG. 2A). In various embodiments, secondtab 135 traverses said slit 138 in the installed position (see also FIG.2B).

In various embodiments, base mount 130 comprises a compliant inner layer140 configured to contact grip 116. Compliant inner layer 140 maycomprise a layer of a relatively soft material that can conform to thegeometry of grip 116. In various embodiments, compliant inner layer 140comprises a polymer material such as polysiloxane, silicone, PTFE,natural rubbers, and synthetic rubbers, among others. Compliant innerlayer 140 may comprise a foam material (such as visco elastic foam), orany other pliable material. In this manner, compliant inner layer 140may deform around grip 116 in response to base mount 130 being tightenedover the shopping cart handle 114, thereby allowing base mount 130 tosecurely mount to various shaped and sized shopping cart handles 114and/or grips 116. Compliant inner layer 140 may be secured to theinterior surface of base mount 130 via an adhesive, in accordance withvarious embodiments. In various embodiments, compliant inner layer 140comprises two separate pieces coupled to first half 131 and second half132, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 1I, a section view of handle arrangement 110taken along section C-C of FIG. 1B is illustrated, in accordance withvarious embodiments. With combined reference to FIG. 1I and FIG. 3B,outer sleeve 150 comprises a first side 151 and a second side 152. Firstside 151 may face second side 152 to define a longitudinally extendingslit 158 therebetween. First side 151 may be pried away from second side152 to fit outer sleeve 150 over base mount 130. Stated differently,base mount 130 may be received by outer sleeve 150 via longitudinallyextending slit 158. First side 151 may comprise a protruding member 153extending towards the second side 152. Second side 152 may comprise arecess 154. Protruding member 153 may extend into recess 154. In thismanner, protruding member 153 may mitigate longitudinal movement offirst side 151 with respect to second side 152 to aid in securing outersleeve 150 to base mount 130. In various embodiments, protruding member153 and recess 154 are disposed at a midpoint of outer sleeve 150.

With reference to FIG. 1J, a side view of handle arrangement 110 isillustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Outer sleeve 150and base mount 130 may be arranged in concentric relationship withrespect to one another. Base mount 130 and grip 116 may be arranged inconcentric relationship with respect to one another. Grip 116 andshopping cart handle 114 may be arranged in concentric relationship withrespect to one another. Stated differently, outer sleeve 150, base mount130, grip 116, and shopping cart handle 114 may be coaxially alignedand/or substantially coaxially aligned with centerline axis 190.

With respect to FIG. 2A through FIG. 3B, elements with like elementnumbering, as depicted in FIG. 1A through FIG. 1J, are intended to bethe same and will not necessarily be repeated for the sake of clarity.

With reference to FIG. 2A, a perspective view of base mount 130 isillustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In variousembodiments, base mount 130 comprises a generally tubular geometry.

With reference to FIG. 2B, first half 131 may comprise a cutout 139 forreceiving second tab 135. Second tab 135 may be generally flush with thedistal surface of first half 131 and the distal surface of second half132 in an installed position.

With reference to FIG. 3A, a perspective view of outer sleeve 150 isillustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In variousembodiments, outer sleeve 150 comprises a generally tubular geometry.With reference to FIG. 3B, a bottom view of outer sleeve 150 isillustrated, in accordance with various embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 4A, shopping cart 100 is illustrated with a basemount 430 installed over grip 116 (see FIG. 1C). Outer sleeve 150 isomitted for clarity purposes. Base mount 430 may be constructed from aplastic material. Base mount 430 may be installed over grip 116 toprovide a surface for installing an outer sleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E) tohandle 114. Base mount 430 may be configured to be installed overvarious shopping cart handles 114 and/or shopping cart grips 116 toprovide a standard (i.e., uniform) sized structure to which outer sleeve150 (see FIG. 1E) is mounted. Base mount 430 may be similar to basemount 430, except that instead of comprising a ratcheting lockingmechanism, base mount 430 is held together via a magnetic lockingmechanism (also referred to herein as a magnetic connection). In thismanner, base mount 430 may snap over grip 116 (see FIG. 1C).

With reference to FIG. 4B, a section view of base mount 430 installedover a shopping cart handle 114 is illustrated, in accordance withvarious embodiments. Base mount 430 may comprise a first half 431 and asecond half 432. First half 431 and second half 432 may be moveable withrespect to one another to open base mount 430 to install base mount 430over shopping cart handle 114 and also to close base mount 430 securelyaround the shopping cart handle 114. In various embodiments, first half431 is coupled to second half 432 via a living hinge 433. First half431, second half 432, and living hinge 433 may be formed as a single,monolithic piece of material. Living hinge 433 may comprise a thinribbon of material extending between first half 431 and second half 432for providing a hinge whereby first half 431 may be rotated with respectto second half 432 for opening and closing base mount 430.

First half 431 of base mount 430 may comprise a first side 434. Secondhalf 432 of base mount 430 may comprise a second side 435. First side434 may face second side 435 to define a longitudinally extending slit438 therebetween. In various embodiments, base mount 430 comprises alocking mechanism 480 for securing base mount 430 to shopping carthandle 114. In various embodiments, the locking mechanism 480 comprisesa first magnet 436. First magnet 436 may be provided at first side 434.The locking mechanism 480 may further comprise a second magnet 436.Second magnet 436 may be provided at second side 435. In this regard,first magnet 436 and second magnet 437 may be disposed opposite basemount 430 from living hinge 433. First magnet 436 may align with secondmagnet 437 such that the magnetic fields of first magnet 436 and secondmagnet 437 are attracted to one another to pull first half 431 togetherwith second half 432, thereby locking base mount 430 to handle 114.First side 434 may be pried away from second side 435 to remove basemount 430 from, or install base mount 430 to, handle 114. First magnet436 and second magnet 437 may each comprises longitudinally extendingmagnets that extend continuously along the length of base mount 430, ormay comprise discrete magnets spaced apart along first side 434 andsecond side 435, respectively. First magnet 436 and/or second magnet 437may be a permanent magnet, such as a neodymium magnet, an aluminumnickel cobalt magnet, a samarium cobalt magnet, or a ferrite magnet, inaccordance with various embodiments.

In various embodiments, living hinge 433 may be replaced with opposingmagnets coupled to first half 431 and second half 432 to secure firsthalf 431 to second half 432, similar to first magnet 436 and secondmagnet 437, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In this regard, first half 431 andsecond half 432 may be two distinct pieces, in accordance with variousembodiments.

In various embodiments, with momentary reference to FIG. 10, first half431 and second half 432 may be secured together via a fastener 460, suchas a bolt, rivet or a screw. In various embodiments, first half 431and/or second half 432 may be secured to grip 116 and/or shopping carthandle 114 via a fastener 462. With the first half 431 and/or secondhalf 432 secured to the shopping cart handle 114, the base mount 430 maybe fixed with respect to shopping cart handle 114. Fastener 460 and/orfastener 462 may be added in addition to the other fastening featuresdisclosure herein, or may be used in lieu of the other fasteningfeatures disclosed herein. Furthermore, fastener 460 may be used withoutfastener 462, or both fasteners 460, 462 may be used together.Furthermore, any number of fasteners 460 and/or fasteners 462 may beused along the length of base mount 430 or in various locations aroundthe perimeter of the base mount 430 for securing base mount 430 tohandle 114.

In various embodiments, base mount 430 comprises a compliant inner layer440 configured to contact grip 116. Compliant inner layer 440 may besimilar to compliant inner layer 140 (see FIG. 1H), in accordance withvarious embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 4C, a section view of base mount 430 taken alongsection C-C of FIG. 1B is illustrated, in accordance with variousembodiments. With reference to FIG. 4D, a side view of base mount 430installed over a shopping cart handle 114 is illustrated, in accordancewith various embodiments.

In various embodiments, an inner diameter surface 442 of base mount 430may define a centerline axis 491. In various embodiments, an outerdiameter surface 443 of base mount 430 may define a centerline axis 490.Centerline axis 490 is offset from centerline axis 491, in accordancewith various embodiments. In various embodiments, handle 114 and innerdiameter surface 442 are in concentric alignment. In this regard, atotal radial thickness of base mount 430 may vary along thecircumferential direction.

With reference to FIG. 4E, a perspective view of base mount 430 isillustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In variousembodiments, base mount 430 comprises a generally tubular geometry. Withreference to FIG. 4F, a perspective view of second half 432 of basemount 430 is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. secondhalf 432 may comprise an outer skin 450 and a plurality of ribs. Invarious embodiments, outer skin 450 comprises a first end rib 451disposed at a first end of outer skin 450 and a second end rib 452disposed at a second end of outer skin 450. First end rib 451 and secondend rib 452 may extend from an interior surface 455 of outer skin 450.First end rib 451 may comprise a generally circular proximal surface456. Second end rib 452 may comprise a generally circular proximalsurface 457. Outer skin 450 may further comprises a middle rib 453disposed between the first end rib 451 and the second end rib 452.Middle rib 453 may extend from interior surface 455 of outer skin 450.Middle rib 453 may comprise a generally circular proximal surface 458.In various embodiments, the height H1 of middle rib 453 is less than theheight H2 of first end rib 451 and/or second end rib 452, wherein theheight of the ribs is measured generally perpendicular to the interiorsurface 455 (perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of base mount 430).In this manner, middle rib 453 may be configured to extend to a grip ofa shopping cart, and first end rib 451 and second end rib 452 may beconfigured to extend to a handle of the shopping cart.

With reference to FIG. 5A, shopping cart 100 is illustrated with a basemount 530 installed over grip 116 (see FIG. 1C). Outer sleeve 150 isomitted for clarity purposes. Base mount 530 may be constructed from aplastic material. Base mount 530 may be installed over grip 116 toprovide a surface for installing an outer sleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E) tohandle 114. Base mount 530 may be configured to be installed overvarious shopping cart handles 114 and/or shopping cart grips 116 toprovide a standard (i.e., uniform) sized structure to which outer sleeve150 (see FIG. 1E) is mounted.

With reference to FIG. 5B, a perspective view of base mount 530 isillustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. In variousembodiments, base mount 530 comprises a generally tubular geometry. Withreference to FIG. 5C, a side view of base mount 530 installed overhandle 114 is illustrated, in accordance with various embodiments. Basemount 530 may comprise a generally tubular portion 531. Tubular portion531 may be generally cylindrical. A longitudinally extending slit 538 isdisposed in the base mount 530 whereby the handle 114 is received by thebase mount 530. Flared sides may extend outward from tubular portion 531and may at least partially define the longitudinally extending slit 538.In this regard, base mount 530 may comprise a first flared tab 532extending outward from tubular portion 531 and a second flared tab 533extending outward from tubular portion 531. A total width 534 oflongitudinally extending slit 538 is less than an inner diameter 535 oftubular portion 531. In this manner, base mount 530 may be pushed overhandle 114, wherein the first flared tab 532 and second flared tab 533flex apart from each other in response to base mount 530 being pushedover handle 114. First flared tab 532 and second flared tab 533 may flextowards each other after base mount 530 is installed over handle 114 tosecure base mount 530 to handle 114 and/or grip 116. In variousembodiments, base mount 530 is held in compression around handle 114. Inthis regard, base mount 530 may undergo elastic deformation in responseto being installed and/or removed from handle 114.

Having described various embodiments of shopping cart handle base mountsfor outer sleeve 150 (see FIG. 1E), additional details are now describedwith respect to the plurality of disposable film layers disposed on theouter sleeve 150 for providing a sanitary surface for gripping carthandles.

With reference to FIG. 6, a cross-sectional view of the cart gripsanitary cover 118 taken along line C-C of FIG. 1B. As shown, the layers160 of the sanitary cover 118 may be stacked so that the peripheriesthereof are in alignment. In various embodiments, the layers 160 of thesanitary cover 118 may each have a substantially similar shape and size.However, it is contemplated that the sizes and shapes may be altered perthe desires of the user.

In various embodiments, each layer 160 has a thickness of less than1/16th of an inch or, in various embodiments, less than 1/32nd of aninch, or in various embodiments, less than 1/64th of an inch. Each filmlayer 160 may be made from a plastic material or a paper material, inaccordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, each layer160 has a thickness of from 0.00001 inches to 0.1 inches, from 0.0001inches to 0.01 inches, and/or from 0.0005 inches to 0.001 inches. Invarious embodiments, each layer 160 has a thickness of 0.0005 inches. Invarious embodiments, each layer 160 may have a different thickness fromone another.

In various embodiments, the layers 160 of the sanitary cover 118 mayeach have an outer surface area and length substantially similar to anarea and length of the grip 116 of the cart 100, respectively, forproviding sanitary protection. In various embodiments, this similaritymay range between 50%-150% of the area and length of the grip 116 of thecart 100. However, it is contemplated that this design may be varied.

In various embodiments, antibacterial agents or other types ofsanitizing substances may be used to lace the layers 160 of the sanitarycover 118. This feature may be used to further enhance the sanitaryfunction of the sanitary cover 118. In that regard, one or more layers160 may be doped and/or have embedded thereon various antimicrobialmaterials, such as silver, copper, nanoparticle silver, organosilanes,and/or other materials that tend to reduce or inhibit the capability ofa microorganism to reproduce or remain in a viable form that is capableof infecting a human.

FIG. 7 illustrates an isolated view of the outer sleeve 150 of FIG. 6,with an outer layer of the sanitary cover 118 being removed, inaccordance with various embodiments. In various embodiments, each of thelayers 160 is equipped with a smooth planar top face, a smooth planarbottom face, and a rectangular periphery formed therebetween. The bottomface of each layer 160 may have an adhesive 700 formed on an entiresurface thereof for adhering to a top face of an adjacent layer 160. Invarious embodiments, each layer 160 clings to the layer therebeneath viastatic adhesion. In various embodiments, each layer 160 clings to thelayer therebeneath via a perforated seem. In this regard, each layer 160may be torn (at the perforated seem) from the layer therebeneath. Abottommost layer 161 may be adhered to the outer surface of outer sleeve150. In use, a topmost layer 162 of the sanitary cover 118 is removablefor exposing another layer 160 therebeneath for providing a sanitarysurface for being gripped by a user.

In various embodiments, a corner, side or edge of each layer 160 may beequipped with a tab or some other non-adhesive member that may begripped by a user to facilitate the removal process. This operation maybe continued until a bottommost layer 161 is exposed, after which outersleeve 150 may be disposed, and a new outer sleeve 150 dispensed andapplied to the grip 116 of the cart 100.

With reference to FIG. 8, a method 800 for affording a sanitary surfaceon a grip 116 of the cart 100 is provided, in accordance with variousembodiments. Method 800 includes attaching a base mount to a grip of acart (step 810). Method 800 includes attaching an outer sleeve to thebase mount, wherein the outer sleeve comprises a sanitary covercomprising a plurality of film layers (step 820). Method 800 includesremoving a topmost layer of the sanitary cover for exposing anotherlayer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface for being gripped bya user (step 830).

With combined reference to FIG. 1D and FIG. 8, step 810 may includeattaching base mount 130 to grip 116 of cart 100. With combinedreference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 8, step 810 may include attaching basemount 430 to grip 116 of cart 100. With combined reference to FIG. 5Aand FIG. 8, step 810 may include attaching base mount 530 to grip 116 ofcart 100.

With combined reference to FIG. 1E and FIG. 8, step 820 may includeattaching outer sleeve 150 to base mount 130 (see FIG. 1D). Withcombined reference to FIG. 1E and FIG. 8, step 820 may include attachingouter sleeve 150 to base mount 430 (see FIG. 4A). With combinedreference to FIG. 1E and FIG. 8, step 820 may include attaching outersleeve 150 to base mount 530 (see FIG. 5A).

With combined reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, step 830 may includeremoving a topmost layer 162 of the sanitary cover 118 for exposinganother layer 160 therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface forbeing gripped by a user.

With reference to FIG. 11A, a base mount 630 is mounted to shopping carthandle 114, in accordance with various embodiments. Base mount 630 maybe attached to shopping cart handle 114 similar to base mount 130, basemount 430, and/or base mount 530 as described herein. Base mount 630 maycomprise a lobe 632 extending from the outer surface 634 of base mount630. Lobe 632 may provide a location for attachment of a liquidcontainer 692. In various embodiments, liquid container 692 is a handsanitizer bottle, which may manually (e.g., via a hand pump) orautomatically dispense hand sanitizer. Liquid container 692 may bedetachably coupled to base mount 630.

With reference to FIG. 11B, a tab may be formed into lobe 632. Tab 636may be a flexible tab configured to move relative to the lobe 632 and/orouter surface 634 for attaching and detaching the liquid container 600.With reference to FIG. 11C, liquid container 600 may comprise a cutout602 whereby the base mount 630 is received by the liquid container 600.In this regard, the geometry of cutout 602 may be complementary to thegeometry of base member 630. In this manner, liquid container 600 maycomprise a low profile geometry to not interfere with a user of theshopping cart. A ramp 604 may extend into the opening formed by cutout602. Tab 636 may be moveable generally in the direction illustrated byarrow 650. Tab 636 may comprise an accessible extension 637 whereby auser may move tab 636 for detaching liquid container 600. Tab 636 maycomprise a stopping extension 638 configured to engage (i.e., contact)ramp 604. For example, a user may push extension 637 away from ramp 604(i.e., upwards in FIG. 11C) and stopping extension 638 may disengagefrom ramp 604. Stated differently, stopping extension 638 may move awayfrom ramp 604 (i.e., upwards in FIG. 11C) in response to a user pushingor pulling upwards on extension 637. Conversely, stopping extension 638may contact ramp 604 in response to liquid container being placed overbase mount 630. The stopping extension 638 may flex away from ramp 604as the liquid container is placed around base mount 630 until thestopping extension 638 clears the ramp 604 and locks the liquidcontainer 600 in place.

As will be understood from the above, the present disclosure provides asimple and effective means for covering or shielding the grips of carts100 and the like to prevent contamination of the user of such carts 100with disease or infectious residues left from previous users of the cart100. Sanitary covering arrangements of the present disclosure include abase mount for providing a standard size structure for attachingsanitary coverings to cart grips of various shapes and sizes.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed herein with regard to specific embodiments. Furthermore, theconnecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein areintended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physicalcouplings between the various elements. It should be noted that manyalternative or additional functional relationships or physicalconnections may be present in a practical system. However, the benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as critical, required, or essential features orelements of the inventions. The scope of the disclosure is accordinglyto be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in whichreference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one andonly one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”Moreover, where a phrase similar to “at least one of A, B, or C” is usedin the claims, it is intended that the phrase be interpreted to meanthat A alone may be present in an embodiment, B alone may be present inan embodiment, C alone may be present in an embodiment, or that anycombination of the elements A, B and C may be present in a singleembodiment; for example, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

Systems, methods and apparatus are provided herein. In the detaileddescription herein, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“various embodiments”, etc., indicate that the embodiment described mayinclude a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but everyembodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature,structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarilyreferring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature,structure, or characteristic is described in connection with anembodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of oneskilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristicin connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitlydescribed. After reading the description, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the relevant art(s) how to implement the disclosure inalternative embodiments.

Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the presentdisclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless ofwhether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited inthe claims. No claim element herein is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C.112(f), unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “meansfor.” As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list ofelements does not include only those elements but may include otherelements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus.

What is claimed is:
 1. A sanitary cover arrangement for a shopping carthandle, comprising: a tubular base mount configured to be coupled aroundthe shopping cart handle; a tubular outer sleeve configured to becoupled around the tubular base mount; and a plurality of sanitary filmlayers coupled to the tubular outer sleeve, wherein each of the sanitaryfilm layers are dispensable from the tubular outer sleeve, a topmostlayer of the plurality of sanitary film layers being removable forexposing another layer therebeneath for providing a sanitary surface forgripping the shopping cart handle, wherein the tubular base mountcomprises a first half and a second half, wherein the first half couplesto the second half to secure the tubular base mount to the shopping carthandle, wherein the tubular base mount comprises a ratcheting lockingmechanism for coupling the first half to the second half, and whereinthe ratcheting locking mechanism comprises: a first tab extending fromthe first half, the first tab comprising a plurality of teeth; and asecond tab extending from the second half, the second tab comprising apawl configured to mechanically engage the plurality of teeth to lockthe first half from pulling apart from the second half.
 2. The sanitarycover arrangement of claim 1, wherein the tubular base mount comprises aliving hinge whereby the first half is coupled to the second half. 3.The sanitary cover arrangement of claim 1, wherein the tubular basemount comprises a compliant inner layer configured to contact theshopping cart handle, and wherein the compliant inner layer isconfigured to conform to a geometry of the shopping cart handle.
 4. Thesanitary cover arrangement of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sanitaryfilm layers are configured with an image printed thereon.
 5. Thesanitary cover arrangement of claim 4, wherein the image comprises atleast one of an advertisement, a coupon, or a QR code.
 6. The sanitarycover arrangement of claim 5, wherein the image is printed utilizing atime limited ink that degrades when exposed to ambient air.